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Bearing a name inspired by the exotic hibiscus flowers native to its tropical surroundings, Bungaraya Island Resort Spa - part of the LVX collection of Preferred Hotels & Resorts - is a secluded gem off the coast of Borneo where your next blissful beach vacation awaits. In the heart of Southeast Asia, this Malaysian resort paradise is set on a coral reef island, tucked into a natural bay, and is comprised of just 47 hideaway villas. With white sand beach to one side, and pristine jungle to the other, guest accommodations feature native architecture fused with a contemporary feel and superior functionality. The sophisticated dwellings, none less than 750 square feet, offer an unparalleled level of privacy and luxury while providing modern accompaniments such as satellite television, iPod docks, mini bars, and wireless internet access. Views vary, from hillside settings with colorful foliage enveloping private decks, to vistas of the brilliant beach and sea, with each and every space promising a unique perspective on the island's beauty.
Bungaraya Island Resort
Polish Bay
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
88778
Nearest Airport: BKI
Absolutely lovely resort - the resort is beautiful and it really feels like paradise. The staff are all amazing, great service everywhere. The restaurants are reasonably priced (a bit more expensive than the mainland but seems reasonable given the location) and all the meals we had were really nice - we stayed for a week and had tried most dishes by the end , there isn’t a huge variety and only a few Malaysian options. Our room was up a steep hill but you can ask for a ride up on the buggy if you don’t fancy the walk, they always came quickly and were happy to drive you. Everything does close up quite early in the evening ( the last order for a drink is at 10pm) but can see why they close at this time as we were always the only people still around at this time - everyone seems to disappear about 8:30 so it can feel a bit of a weird atmosphere if you’re an evening person. There are lots of biting insects (to be expected given location on the edge of the rainforest) so do take some decent insect repellent as the oil the resort provides didn’t seem effective at all. They light insect repellent coils outside each villa in the evening - it would be good if the resort could add these at the bar area at the Pantai restaurant too as the insects were quit bad there during happy hour. Cocktails included in the happy hour (4-7pm) were very reasonably priced and all really nice. Again excellent service. A few things that stop it from being 5 stars. The rooms just aren’t insect proof at all - eg there’s gaps in the door so we got bitten a lot. Each day we had to brush ants off our bed. We did eventually find a couple of repellent tablets to pop in the plug in but we were never told they were there/when to change them and after we used the three provided they were not replenished. When we first arrived there was a large number of ants (dead and alive) on the bed. We stayed for a week and the bedding wasn’t changed at all during this time, which was surprising especially as I had a couple insect bites which left a bit of blood on the bedding and pillow cases (this was clearly noticed as the pillows were flipped over …) . We tried to go for a walk on the hiking trails they advertise but unfortunately they were not possible due to fallen/overgrown trees so we had to turn back very close to the start. Overall a lovely resort and amazing staff - would still recommend it but not quite the total luxury we expected.
Tree_Frog3 - Nottingham, United Kingdom
I had an amazing 2 days here. The beach is gorgeous, the sea is crystal clear & luke warm. The food is delicious. The hospitality is outstanding. The lodges are lovely & big with very comfortable beds. A small slice of paradise in tranquil surroundings.
Julie E
Unfortunately, we were quite disappointed with this hotel. First of all, our room had a very unpleasant smell inside, with a strong smell of mould. It was really not pleasant. Then, despite having a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, a member of the housekeeping staff came onto the balcony of our room. Fortunately, she did not enter the room itself, but we found this quite uncomfortable, especially since the sign was clearly displayed. We also had a problem with the swimming pool. I cut my foot on damaged, sharp-edged tiles. We also found a screw on the pool floor, which is obviously not normal and raises safety concerns. Unfortunately, the service was not much better. I ordered a Coca-Cola Zero at the pool but was served a regular Coca-Cola. I also ordered a spicy omelette and specifically asked for it to be prepared with spices, but received a completely plain omelette. Individually, some of these issues might seem minor, but taken together, they were quite disappointing. The service and communication with the staff were really poor, and several times we felt that our requests were either not understood or simply not taken into account. Unfortunately, we will not be returning to this hotel.
SteFunny_17
We came to Bunga Raya Island Resort as a “test and explore” trip, and it completely exceeded our expectations. We stayed in a Superior Villa, and it was simply wonderful—clean, comfortable, and perfectly nestled in nature. What really stood out was the staff. From the boatman and buggy drivers to the restaurant team and housekeeping, everyone was warm, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. You simply couldn’t fault anyone. A special mention goes to the EAM, who was visible everywhere, leading by example. You instantly know you’re in good hands. We loved the way the chalets are built, nestled within the island’s lush tropical jungle. It’s the perfect blend of forest and sea, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in nature. We were also delighted to spot some wildlife, including a monitor lizard, wild boar and the beautiful hornbills. We were warned of the macaque monkeys but we didn’t see any. The facilities are all well maintained, with plenty to keep you occupied if you wish—swimming in the sea or the resort pool, hiking, kayaking, pickleball, and even indoor games for rainy days. For us, though, we were perfectly happy just to relax and unwind. Food-wise, the selection isn’t extensive, but everything we tried was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. A very pleasant surprise. My wife was so impressed that we immediately booked another stay for early January 2027. That probably says it all. Highly recommended.We came to Bunga Raya Island Resort as a “test and explore” trip, and it completely exceeded our expectations. We stayed in a Superior Villa, and it was simply wonderful—clean, comfortable, and perfectly nestled in nature. What really stood out was the staff. From the boatman and buggy drivers to the restaurant team and housekeeping, everyone was warm, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. You simply couldn’t fault anyone. A special mention goes to the EAM, who was visible everywhere, leading by example. You instantly know you’re in good hands. We loved the way the chalets are built, nestled within the island’s lush tropical jungle. It’s the perfect blend of forest and sea, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in nature. We were also delighted to spot some wildlife, including a monitor lizard, wild boar and the beautiful hornbills. We were warned of the macaque monkeys but we didn’t see any. The facilities are all well maintained, with plenty to keep you occupied if you wish—swimming in the sea or the resort pool, hiking, kayaking, pickleball, and even indoor games for rainy days. For us, though, we were perfectly happy just to relax and unwind. Food-wise, the selection isn’t extensive, but everything we tried was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. A very pleasant surprise. My wife was so impressed that we immediately booked another stay for early January 2027. That probably says it all. Highly recommended.
Itravel0ne - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
We had a truly wonderful few days here relaxing after a busy jungle trekking holiday. Situated on the coast, there was never a shortage of fabulous views and wildlife, and plenty of opportunity to explore. The staff couldn’t do enough to assist us, they were super attentive and kind, and the accommodation was a high standard. Meals were cooked to perfection and were faultless. We arrived in a tropical storm by speedboat which was terrifying. Each day it rained, but then the sun shone, the water was calm, and we could appreciate the paradise before us; this is a very special place. Our only negative comment relates to the occasional pieces of plastic that is washed up along the shore. The staff do clean up the beach but they need to be doing so more than once per day. Otherwise the water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkelling.
689davidp - Northampton, United Kingdom
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